Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA)

ABA 100 Intro Autism Spectrum Disorder (3 credits)

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD's), including autism, pervasive developmental disorder, and Asperger's syndrome, are common, occurring in 1 in 166 individuals. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, ASD's impact social interactions and communication skills. The types of ASD's range in severity from very low functioning associated with significant cognitive deficits and highly disruptive behaviors, to very high functioning, associated with highly gifted intelligence and "quirky" behaviors. This course introduces students to the neurology, symptoms, diagnostic criteria, causes, biomedical treatments, and behavioral interventions, as well as to the impact on individuals with ASD's, families, friends, school districts, the economy, and society with regard to functioning, coping, prognosis, and outcomes.

Attributes: Faith Justice Course, Undergraduate

ABA 101 Intro App Behavior Analysis (3 credits)

This is the first course within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB©) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA © certification. This course is designed to introduce the current research-based interventions in the field of applied behavior analysis and autism. Students will gain a general understanding of the philosophical underpinnings, the concepts and principles of applied behavior analysis and how they can be used across multiple environments (home, school, early intervention, clinics) to address the various social, behavioral and communication deficits of individuals with autism. Topics addressed include respondent and operating conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, extinction, generalization, discrimination, matching law, and various contingencies.

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 102 ABA Ethics & Professionalism (3 credits)

This is the second course within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB ©) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA © certification. This course will explore professional and ethical issues in the field of applied behavior analysis. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board's Professional and Ethical Compliance Code will be examined and its relation to the provision of services. Students will explore ethical problem solving and practices, and societal issues of importance related to culture, human rights, punishment, parenting, education, behavior management, and workplace behavior. Students learn to demonstrate professionalism in the field and practice resolving ethical dilemmas from case studies and their work settings.

Prerequisites: ABA 101

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 200 Applied Behav Anlysis & Autism (3 credits)

This is the first course within the Onground 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB ©) Verified Course Sequence toward BCaBA Certification. This course is designed to introduce the gold standard of research-based interventions in the field of autism: applied behavior analysis, a natural science approach to studying behavior. It covers principles of learning and behavior in relation to autism spectrum disorders, from relatively simple concepts such as reinforcement to more complex issues such as the acquisition of human language. Students will gain a general understanding of applied behavior analysis principles and how these principles guide the foundation toward a behavioral treatment approach for individuals with autism.

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 201 Skill Assess & Instr ABA&ASD (3 credits)

This is the second course within the Onground 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © Verified Course Sequence toward BCaBA Certification. This course is designed to provide research-based interventions in the field of autism for skill assessment and instruction, utilizing applied behavior analysis, a natural science approach to studying behavior. It covers principles of learning and behavior in relation to skill deficits in autism spectrum disorders, from relatively simple concepts such as prompting procedures to more complex treatment such as Discrete Trail Training (DTT). Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the steps necessary to utilize applied behavior analysis principles in skill assessment and intervention, and how these principles guide building an individualized social skills curriculum for children and adolescents with autism (ages 2 - 21 years old).

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 202 Single-Case Research in ABA (3 credits)

This is the third course within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB ©) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA © certification. This course covers assessment of behavior, including all dimensions of behavior and structured observation. Single-case research methods, including reversal, multiple baseline, changing criterion, alternating treatment, and multi-element designs are covered. Students will be expected to understand, interpret, and apply single-subject research methodology through the experience of defining behavior, collecting data, calculating interobserver agreement, and creating graphical displays of data. Students will have the opportunity to implement basic experiments for evaluating the effectiveness of behavioral interventions.

Prerequisites: ABA 102

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 300 Behav Assess & Interv ABA&ASD (4 credits)

This is the third course within the Onground 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB © ) Verified Course Sequence toward BCaBA © Certification, and connects to the first concentrated supervised experience at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. The course content covers the research-based and comprehensive interventions to address behavioral needs in the field of autism through functional behavior assessment and functional analysis within applied behavior analysis, through completing a total of 250 hours of supervised experience. Students will gain a thorough understanding of applied behavior analysis principles related to behavioral assessment and how these principles guide a formal behavior intervention plan process for children, adolescents, and adults with autism. Through this experience, students will apply concepts learned in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism through a primary assignment of providing direct implementation with individuals with autism. Students will also apply concepts learned in Skill Assessment and Instruction in ABA and Autism through a progress monitoring assignment within a Social Skills program, where the student will select goals based on assessment, determine appropriate data collection materials, complete objective observations, and analyze progress for a group of individuals with autism. To apply concepts learned in Behavioral Assessment, students will complete their first functional behavioral assessment for an individual with autism. Students will be expected to complete additional hours during the week outside of the assigned class meeting time that apply the course material to an applied setting.

Prerequisites: ABA 100 and ABA 200 and ABA 201

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 301 Prof Ethics ABA & ASD (4 credits)

This is the fourth course within the Onground 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB © ) Verified Course Sequence toward BCaBA © Certification and connects to the second concentrated supervised experience at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. This course covers ethical concepts and decision making for behavior analysis professionals through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Professional and Ethical Compliance Code. Students will learn the depth of the compliance code as well as the ability to analyze and apply the code through real life settings, completing a total of 250 hours of supervised experience. Students will continue to enhance skills gained in Concentrated Field Experience 1, by continuing direct implementation with individuals with autism. Students will expand the progress monitoring assignment to a new age group of individuals with autism within a Social Skills program, where the student will select goals based on assessment, determine appropriate data collection materials, complete objective observations, and analyze progress for a group of individuals with autism. To apply concepts learned in Ethics and Professionalism in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Treatment, students will complete a second functional behavioral assessment for an individual with autism, as well as following their first functional behavioral assessment utilizing procedural integrity methods. Students will be expected to complete additional hours during the week outside of the assigned class meeting time that apply the course material to an applied setting.

Prerequisites: ABA 100 and ABA 200 and ABA 201 and ABA 300

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 302 Adv App ABA (3 credits)

This is the fifth course within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's (BACB) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA certification. This course is designed to expand upon the previously learned concepts of behavior analysis and connect it to the practical world. In this course, students will gain an understanding of how to use the principles and practices of applied behavioral. This course behavior change procedures from covers principles of learning and behavior from relatively simple animal studies to more complex issues such as the acquisition of human language. Examples of topics reviewed in depth include operant and respondent conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, extinction, shaping, chaining, stimulus control, and verbal behavior. Multi-disciplinary, real world examples and applications will be introduced.

Prerequisites: ABA 102

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 400 Appld Research: ABA & ASD (4 credits)

This is the fifth course within the Onground 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB © ) Verified Course Sequence toward BCaBA © Certification and connects to the third concentrated supervised experience at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. This course covers research design and how to systematically analyze all dimensions of behavior and structured observation through applied intervention. Single-case research methods, including reversal, multiple baseline, changing criterion, alternating treatment, and multielement designs are covered. Students will be expected to understand, interpret, and apply single-subject research methodology, completing a total of 250 hours of supervised experience. Through this experience, students will apply all prior concepts learned within the first four content classes, through a case management assignment. The case management assignment will include both skill and behavioral assessment, selecting and prioritizing goals and target behaviors based on record review, objective observation, indirect and direct measures. In addition, the case management assignment will include selecting intervention and teaching procedures, in building skill instruction plans and analyzing data through progress reports. To apply concepts learned in Applied Research Design, students will complete a case study within their case management assignment, whether through skill instruction or behavioral intervention. Students will be expected to complete additional hours during the week outside of the assigned class meeting time that apply the course material to an applied setting.

Prerequisites: ABA 100 and ABA 200 and ABA 201 and ABA 300 and ABA 301

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 401 Behav Consult: ABA & ASD (4 credits)

This is the sixth and final course within the Onground 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB © ) Verified Course Sequence toward BCaBA © Certification and connects to the fourth and final concentrated supervised experience at the Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. Students will build upon previous knowledge around behavior analytic principles, measurement, data, experimental design, ethics, assessment, selecting and implementing interventions, completing a total of 250 hours of supervised experience. This course takes that foundation and applies it to data-based decision making to evaluate the effects of interventions for clients and staff, continuing with their case management assignment from Concentrated Field Experience 3, as well as their case study. Students also learn to collaborate while selecting and implementing interventions that integrate behavior analytic concepts and principles into plans and to rely on the best available scientific evidence and to incorporate information about preferences, risks, the environment, and social validity for program planning, via their third and final functional behavioral assessment. This consultation task will require utilizing the conjoint behavior consultation method across all steps of the process with the parents, additional professionals and direct care staff on the case. Students will be expected to complete additional hours during the week outside of the assigned class meeting time that apply the course material to an applied setting.

Prerequisites: ABA 300 and ABA 301 and ABA 400

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 402 Assessment in ABA (3 credits)

This is the sixth course within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB ©) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA © certification. Assessment is an important part of any behavior analytic intervention. This course is designed to expand upon the previously learned concepts of behavior analysis and will present the student with information on observation, data collection, and data interpretation. Students will learn the methods for obtaining descriptive data and the procedures for conducting systematic manipulations. Functional assessments and analysis of individual behaviors will be a primary focus. Students will review completing record review, determining the need for services, identifying socially significant behavior, identifying client strengths and weaknesses, conducting preference assessments, graphing functions of behaviors, various applications of assessment within behavior analysis, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, and incorporating client quality of life and happiness. Students will also have the opportunity to complete a functional behavior assessment, and review mock client data.

Prerequisites: ABA 302

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 403 Consultation & Supervis in ABA (3 credits)

This is the seventh and final course within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB ©) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA © certification. This is the final course in the sequence, where students will build upon previous knowledge around behavior analytic principles, measurement, data, experimental design, ethics, assessment, selecting and implementing interventions. This course takes that foundation and applies it to data-based decision making to evaluate the effects of interventions for clients and staff of organizations. Students also learn to collaborate while selecting and implementing interventions that integrate behavior analytic concepts and principles into plans and to rely on the best available scientific evidence and to incorporate information about preferences, risks, the environment, and social validity for program planning. The course includes team activities and case studies to assess and intervene in collaborative, positive ways that maximize outcomes.

Prerequisites: ABA 402

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 404 Concentrated Field Experience1 (3 credits)

This is the first concentrated field experience, within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA certification.

Prerequisites: ABA 101

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 405 Concentrated Field Experience2 (3 credits)

This is the second concentrated field experience, within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA certification.

Prerequisites: ABA 101 and ABA 404

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 406 Concentrated Field Experience3 (3 credits)

This is the third concentrated field experience, within the PLS 5th Edition Behavior Analyst Certification Board's © (BACB©) Verified Course Sequence (VCS) BCaBA© certification.Concentrated Field Experience3.

Prerequisites: ABA 101 and ABA 201 and ABA 404 and ABA 405

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 468 Resources& Advocacy for Autism (3 credits)

Intervention and therapeutic services are critical to improving the lives of children and adults, and advocating for individuals with autism is an important process in securing these services. This course introduces students to the role that therapists, physicians, families, case workers and community agents serve in advocating for those with autism, where services are provided, how they are funded, what they offer those with autism, and how to advocate for individuals with autism. IHS 465 is recommended prior to or concurrently with this course.

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 469 Adult/Transition Autism (3 credits)

This course focuses on understanding the issues facing adults with autism spectrum disorder. Students will learn about issues adults with ASD face including independent living skills, friendships, sexual relationships and marriage, finding and coping with employment, secondary education, post-secondary education, psychiatric disturbances in adulthood, legal issues, and enhancing independence. Students will learn the newest research and intervention techniques to promote a successful transition to adulthood. IHS 465 is recommended prior to or concurrently with this.

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 470 Senior Sem ABS Research (3 credits)

This course is designed to expand upon the previously learned concepts in your ABS coursework. This course will be mostly face-to-face with a few designated online sessions and is specific to the research/advocacy track.

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 471 Special Topics in Autism (3 credits)

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD), including autism, pervasive developmental disorder, and Aspergers syndrome, are common. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, ASD's impact social interactions and communication skills. The types of ASD range in severity from very low functioning associated with significant cognitive deficits and highly disruptive behaviors, to very high functioning, associated with highly gifted intelligence and "quirky" behaviors. This course is a continuation of Intro to Autism Spectrum Disorder and provides advanced topics in the causes, treatments and implications of autism. The format for this course is seminar style. This will primarily consist of significant student involvement.

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 475 Coping with Autism (3 credits)

This course explores how families and service providers cope with autism. The impact of autism on parents, siblings, grandparents and others close to the family is discussed, particularly around coping with the behaviors associated with autism and the reactions of others. In addition, how families cope with complex issues such as school placement and support services, respite time, marital relationships, economics of paying for services and other important and difficult issues faced by those who care for children and adults with autism are presented. Finally, the impact on service providers and their strategies for effective coping are explored.

Attributes: Undergraduate

ABA 601 Concpts & Prin of Behav Analys (3 credits)

This introductory course focuses on the concepts and principles of behavior analysis, a natural science approach to studying behavior. It covers principles of learning and behavior from relatively simple animal studies to more complex issues such as the acquisition of human language. Examples of topics reviewed in depth include operant and respondent conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, extinction, shaping, chaining, stimulus control, and verbal behavior. Multi-disciplinary, real world examples and applications will be introduced.

Restrictions: Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.

ABA 602 Ethics & Prof in Behav Analys (3 credits)

This course focuses on ethics and professionalism in behavior analysis, with a emphasis on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's® Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts and the corresponding disciplinary system. This course familiarizes students with ethical problem solving and practice related to the application of behavior analysis. Topics include regulations, laws, policies, and societal issues of importance related to culture, human rights, punishment, parenting, education, behavior management, and workplace behavior. Students learn to demonstrate professionalism in the field and practice resolving ethical dilemmas from case studies and their work settings. Connections are made to relevant ethical codes from multi-disciplinary and related fields as students learn to think, resolve issues, and behave like an ethical behavior analyst.